My Blog

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 The picture of a blank journal and a hot cup of coffee seemed appropriate to prepare for a journey…a different kind of journey. Sometimes we have to “go back” to “go forward”. God exhorts us  through the prophet, Jeremiah, to “stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls.” This blog is an invitation to (dare I use the word) repent and return to the ancient paths, the good way. If you are weary of high tech shows and entertainment in what is called “church” on Sunday mornings, please join me as I share “old truths” that need to be reclaimed AND proclaimed in our day.

There is a generation starving for Biblical teaching and a call to holy living. Our sanctuaries have been replaced by auditoriums and our altars by stages. The pulpit, once referred to as the sacred desk, has become comedy central with feel good messages that leave a hunger in the souls of those who hear them. Those who lead these weekly gatherings have achieved celebrity status. Fans gather at stages. Penitents kneel at altars. No altar…no problem. There are no penitents in these settings. Why? Because there is no convicting sermon to awaken them to their sin.

As in Nehemiah’s day when he was grieved over the broken down walls of Jerusalem, we need to grieve over the broken down walls in our lives and our land. It’s time  to return to God’s path and rebuild the walls brick by brick with the eternal truths of God’s word. I’m “going back”.  Join me.

 I saw a bluebird first thing this morning as I sat down in my quiet spot. We’ve had two weeks of rain and my bird feeders have been empty as a result…empty of seed and of my daily visitors. Yesterday I refilled them with the anticipation of my feathered friends returning. Well, obviously, I was not disappointed. They began gathering early and before half an hour had passed, along with the bluebird,  I had visits from a red headed woodpecker, a tufted titmouse, some mourning doves, and, of course, those cute little nuthatches. I expected the cardinals would be coming soon. They mate for life and come as a couple everyday. While enjoying them I was reminded that Jesus said “consider the birds of the air”…so I decided to do just that!

There was a first couple who were mates for life, and they walked the most ancient of paths. Paths that led through the most beautiful of gardens, Eden. God had made everything, including the birds of the air, for Adam and Eve to enjoy. He came daily to walk with them among the beauty that He had created. I believe the first path we need to “go back” to is the path of fellowship with God. We are introduced to Him as the Creator and Giver of life Who desires to spend time with us. If this path is neglected it’s inevitable that we will lose our way.

Daily fellowship with God will keep us on the next ancient path to which we need to return, the path of obedience. Adam and Eve were given one simple command and their disobedience led to the fall of mankind and the loss of uninterrupted communion with their Creator.  Listening to the voice of the serpent rather than the voice of God got this first couple off the path of life and onto the path of sin and death.

This was no surprise to God Who had made a provision for restoring relationship and fellowship through the offering of a sacrifice. In the garden an animal was killed so that clothing could be made to cover the nakedness (exposure) of their sin. Sin brought on by disobedience. Eve was deceived by the serpent’s subtlety. He is crafty in his allurement. This is why the need to know God’s word is so crucial. The siren song to leave the path of obedience is always, “Did God really say?” His word provides the boundaries needed to stay on the ancient path of obedience.

Two ancient paths  that can be followed with assurance are daily fellowship with God and obedience to His word.    Join me in “going back” and walking them.

 I retired my school shoes, lace up saddle oxfords, the first day of summer and traded them for Keds (I had a pair in red and one in blue.) or preferably just going barefoot. My bare feet toughened up pretty quickly as I ran around the neighborhood enjoying the FREEDOM of childhood summers.

Waking up to open windows with only a thin screen between me and the great outdoors was heavenly. A gentle breeze blowing the starched organdy curtains in my ever so PINK bedroom. Sunlight dancing on the walls and calling me to “get up and come play”!

I could see my neighborhood school from the front yard…it was absent of me and my friends squealing on the playground. We had abandoned it Memorial Day and wouldn’t revisit it until after Labor Day! Three months of bliss had started…days to just unfold in “all things summer”.

Only the rich among us had their own swimming pool so my respite on those hot Georgia days was running through the sprinkler! We didn’t take fancy vacations but had a summer visit to my Aunt Muriel’s every year.

Going to her home in South Carolina was a highly anticipated treat! She lived on the Black Mingo…a river so named because it looked as black as ink. Momma wouldn’t let me swim in the river. There truly were alligators in there! This, however, did not stop the cousins from skiing and swimming in that black water! I watched from the dock…

I was “horse crazy” so the main attraction at her house was the horses! There was a white pony named Pet who had her own little cart! She was definitely best suited for the cart; when we saddled her she would blow up her belly and you might find yourself sideways, hanging on for dear life. Then there was Goldie, a beautiful palomino…think Roy Rogers and Trigger! The biggest horse was Ernie…a HUGE hunter used for fox hunts. There were others, too, but these three are stamped on my memory.

We had saddle bags which we filled with maypops for attacking each other as we “hid out” in the tobacco fields! It was an idyllic childhood for my cousins and me, and the “not blood” cousins from the other side of my aunt’s family. The kind you acquire through marriage!

It took several hours to get there…this was pre-interstate! We usually left late in the day so we children would fall asleep during the long drive. Even the trip was fun for us… a mattress in the back of my uncle’s station wagon made a good place to anticipate our destination!

These are still some of my sweetest memories…”nothin’ could be finer than to be in Carolina” still plays in my head and heart. Thank you, Aunt Muriel, for all this fun…AND your name. The best gift!

 It was a hot summer day. I was the second car back at the traffic light. I saw a man, thirties or early forties, walking, backpack on, and sweating…I could see sweat dripping off his beard. I wanted to cry…obviously, he was returning home from a long, tiring day.

I remembered I had a case of bottled water in the floor behind me…I reached back and managed to retrieve a bottle. I had a ten dollar bill in my wallet, and I always carry some simple Gospel tracts in my car. The light turned green, and I made a left turn and followed him about a block when he turned into a street and was walking through the parking lot of a tire store. I pulled in and called to him from my window. I said something like, “Looks like you you’ve had a long day and could use a water.”.

He gratefully took the water with the money wrapped around it and the tract. I’m sorry I didn’t ask his name, but God knows and “God sees”. I prayed for him…nameless to me but not to God. My big takeaway…always keep water, some cash, and tracts in my car. Be ready…sometimes “God sees” through me.

About a week later I was driving through the Kroger parking lot and a lady was cleaning what I think are drains at the gas pumps. Just pulled over this time and asked if she would like a water. Got a big smile and thank you from her! Said she could finish the job now! Didn’t give money or tract this time…fell down on my commitment. Never again!

Fast forward…this time, Whole Foods parking lot. I see a young woman holding a sign indicating the need for rent money. I had a twenty, water and tract. I stopped and asked her name and her son’s…”Sandra and Alex”. This time out of my mouth came, “I want you to know God sees you, and I will pray for you.” NOW my assignment is clear…with every assistance tell the recipient “God sees” them, and that I will pray for them!

Last week I pulled up to a light at our town Square, looked over and saw a man sitting and leaning on a building. Obviously begging, as people walking by were either oblivious or aggravated. I circled the Square so I could pull up to the curb where he was. I rolled my window down, and he immediately came to my car. I am now saying what God has directed. After asking his name (Alphonso) I told him, “God sees you, and I will be praying for you.”.

I’ve started a “God sees you” prayer list. Just Sandra, Alex and Alphonso so far but trust there will be others. Join me in allowing your eyes to see the weary, the discouraged, the forgotten with His. Be prepared…with HOPE. The fields are white unto harvest.

THE PHARISEE IN ME

The Pharisee in me

is sometimes all I see.

The tendency to judge and scold,

to be self-righteous and so cold;

to sit upon my man-made throne

and look down upon one who feels alone.

My heart cries, “Rid me of this great sin,

melt my heart and let me love again.”

Not in eyes of judgement will Your face they see,

but only through eyes of mercy

will the prisoners be set free.

PRAYER OF A SAINT.

O, Holy One of Israel, hold my hand and keep me still.

Help me walk at a steady pace, keep me looking into Your face.

Be my rock, my shield forever, birth within me each endeavor.

God, forbid that I should fail to look beyond this earthly veil into the place where You do live, where holy love is Yours to give.

Take me up into the heights. Take me where my soul delights to show me what You have for me. O, give me a glimpse of eternity. Amen.

OUR MAKER

You are the maker of us all, rich and poor, great and small.

You breathed into each the breath of life and called us to be your adoring wife.

You have raised us up in liberty that we might fall before your majesty.

To see your face and hear your voice comes to us an eternal choice.

Within us all, we know that You can touch us once and make us new.

A life once broken, torn and lost has been redeemed upon your cross.

Take your Church, and gently break her, because, O God, You are her Maker.

AT HIS FEET

What do You want of me, Lord of my life, but to sit at Your feet and be Your own wife.

This is my heart’s cry from deep in my soul. Your words how they cleanse me and make me feel whole.

I delight in Your feet, O, how lovely they are; each one a blessing, each bearing a scar.

You suffered and died upon Calvary’s crude tree and laid down Your life for poor wretched me.

Remind me, dear Savior, my own precious Lord, that to sit at Your feet is my eternal reward.

 For some reason we got a late start to our beloved St. Simons one year and arrived about midnight, or possibly even later. I walked out on the front porch of the beach house and something spectacular took my breath away…stars, seemingly thousands of stars, filling that dark night sky! Living in town with so much artificial light had hidden all this beauty from sight. Suddenly in that pristine sky, not marred by street lights, I stood in awe and took in the heavens “declaring the glory of God”. (Psalm 19:1) I was reminded of it this morning and needed to write it down.

When oldest grandson, Clay, now a married young man, was in kindergarten I picked him up one day. On the drive home, I heard from the back seat, “G-mommie, when do the stars shine?”. Of course, I answered with the response he was hoping for, “At night”, I said. It was his “gotcha” moment! “No”, he said, “all the time!” He was right…the stars shine “all the time”! It takes the darkness to reveal them to us.

This brings me to the great truth I gained from this long ago conversation with a very bright five year old. Once the sun comes out the stars are hidden…still there, but out of sight. That’s how it will be when Jesus, the glorious Son, comes, all others now reflecting His glory will be unseen. Twice in the second chapter of Isaiah we are told, “The Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”. (vss. 11,13)

In these days of darkness we must “Let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and GLORIFY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.” It’s time to be those stars that Daniel speaks of…”And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3) When the Son comes, we will be unseen. On that day all glory will be His alone, the ONLY ONE WORTHY.

 It popped up on my cell phone…the number of the school where I’ve worked for over twenty years. In the midst of a national pandemic I suspected CHANGE was coming. Yes, change was the reason for the call. A Zoom meeting was scheduled for the following morning with our headmaster and my principal.

Things are very unpredictable (an understatement!) now for all businesses, and private schools, in particular, are having to make difficult decisions. With love and compassion they broke the news that I and two others wouldn’t receive contracts for the coming year. I knew it was a difficult decision and news that was painful for them to deliver. Some tears started for me but only because I’ve loved my job and those with whom I’ve worked over the years.

I assured them that I anticipated the news and understood that it was a difficult but necessary decision. There were reassuring words among us that we’ve become like family and that won’t change. Gratefully, some things don’t change.

My wonderful family and friends responded with love and encouraging words. I know that this is God’s timing and perfect plan. It was early spring when I got the news. Now moving toward summer, there’s time to rest and listen for God’s direction. Psalm 32:8 is my “go to” verse for assurance that the path will be clear. “I will teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with my eye upon you.” That’s what my Good Shepherd has always done so I wait and listen for His good plan….content and “at ease”.